# occasion

Pronunciation: say "uh-KAY-zhuhn" /əˈkeɪʒən/

## Noun

1. A particular instance or moment in time when a specific thing took place.
   - Simple: A single time when one particular thing took place.
   - _On more than one occasion, the committee failed to reach a decision._
   - _I can recall the exact occasion when we first met._
2. A special event or formal function, such as a celebration or ceremony.
   - Simple: A special event, like a party, wedding, or celebration.
   - _The gala was a glittering occasion attended by hundreds of guests._
   - _They dressed formally to mark the occasion._
3. The particular moment or point in time at which a given event takes place.
   - Simple: The point in time when something takes place.
   - _On the occasion of the building's opening, the mayor gave a speech._
   - _He spoke warmly on the occasion of their anniversary._
4. A favorable opportunity: a convenient or well-timed chance to do something.
   - Simple: A good chance to do something at the right time.
   - _The conference offered an ideal occasion to meet potential investors._
   - _She seized the occasion to thank everyone who had helped her._
5. A happening or set of circumstances that brings about some event or reaction; a motive or reason.
   - Simple: Something that happens and gives a reason for an action or reaction.
   - _The border incident was the immediate occasion for the conflict._
   - _Her letter was the occasion of much soul-searching._
6. A thing or circumstance that brings something else into being; the cause of an effect.
   - Simple: A thing or event that makes something else happen.
   - _The treaty was the occasion of decades of peace._
   - _That single mistake was the occasion of his downfall._
7. A reason or excuse offered for doing something; a motive or grounds for action.
   - Simple: A reason or excuse a person gives for doing something.
   - _The minor delay gave them occasion for complaint._
   - _You have given me no occasion to doubt your honesty._
9. A need or requirement for something; a necessity that calls for it.
   - Simple: A need or reason to have or do something.
   - _Should you have occasion for assistance, the office is always open._
   - _They had no occasion for such expensive equipment._

## Verb

8. To bring something about as its cause; to produce or give rise to a result.
   - Simple: To make something else happen, or to cause it.
   - _Such reforms often occasion fierce debate among lawmakers._
   - _His remarks occasioned a wave of protest across the country._

## Noun

10. An occurrence or incident; an event that takes place. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An event or incident that happens to someone.

## Origin

From Middle English occasioun, borrowed through Middle and Old French from Latin occāsiōnem, a noun formed from the verb occidō. That verb combines the prefix ob- ('down', 'away') with cadō ('fall').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/occasion (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).